Improvement in fence-posts



P. H. INMAN.. Fence-Post.

No. 213,993. Patented Apris,1s19..

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N. PETERS, PHDTOIJTHOGRAPHEIR. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER H. INMAN, OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCE-POSTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,993, dated April 8, 1879; application filed July 2, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER H. INMAN, of Highland Park, in the county ot' Lake and State of Illinois', have invented a new, useful, and Improved Fence-Post, of which the following, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fence-post embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical central section in the plane of the line m x, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a plan view of the blank from which the post is made; Fig. 4, a cross-section in the plane of the line y y, Fig. l and Fig. 5, a like representation in the plane of the line z z, Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

My object is to make a cheap, light, durable, and simple post, adapted for use in connection with either wires or boards, or both, in constructing fences. This I accomplish substantially as follows:

A represents a strip or sheet of wroughtiron, preferably notched at the corners, as indicated at a a, and punctured, as shown at b b. This strip constitutes the blank from which I make my post.

To make the post from this blank I bend the latter centrally, or at the part indicated by the broken lines at c cof Fig. 3, thus bringing the ends of blank together, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower end of the blank or post I leave sharp or thin for a little way upward; but the remaining part of the post I make tubular by bending the blank so as.

to produce that result; and it is immaterial whether the post be cylindrical or polygonal. By bending the blank together in this way the holes b b are brought directly opposite each other.

B B are bolts passed through the holes b b, and projecting therefrom sufficiently' at one end to receive the nuts d d, which are run thereupon, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The nuts and bolts retain the blank in its bent position, or in the form of a post, and sufficient space may thus be left between the vertical edges of the parts brought together, or nearly together, to receive and clamp the wires or rails employed in the construction of wire fences.

G G represent such wires or rails, which, as

will be perceived, may be arranged and fastened in place with facility. They may also be readily removed.

Boards may also be clamped in the post in like manner.

By this means the rails, whether consisting of wires, boards, or metallic strips, may be arranged at any 'desired height or distance apart; andif any of the wires should bebroken, it would not affect the fence except between the posts between which the break occured.

Wires may also be clamped either underneath the nuts d d or underneath the heads of the bolts, but not with all the advantages heretofore enumerated.

When the notches a. a are made in the blank, the post will be adapted to receive a top rail or board, as shown at D, the board being firmly suspended on the shoulders so formed.

E represents a broad at piece set vertically in the lower part of the post, to serve as a brace or anchor to retain the post in a vertical position.

The post, by being sharp at its lower end, may be driven easily into any soil, and in driving it I deem it preferable to use a shouldered plug which will fit into the upper end of the post, the shoulders lapping the upper edges of the metal. Such a plug, however, is not essential, except to' prevent the post from being battered down by being driven. Neither is the brace or anchor E absolutely necessary; but I deem it advisable to use it, especially in light and yielding soils. When it is applied to corner posts it should be made angular, so as to brace against strains exerted in different directions.

Clamping devices other than those herein shown and described may be used for the purposes set forth; but I deem the bolts and nuts preferable.

I am aware that posts made of metal have heretofore been made closed at the top. I do not, therefore, here intend to claim that feature of constructionbroadly; but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isin A hollow fence-post open at the top, and consisting of a continuous piece or blank of iiexible metal, bent centrally upon itself t0 form a sharp driving-edge at the bottom therethe rails of the fence, and for rendering the of, and to form smooth vertical and continu rails adjustable vertically in the said jaws, ous clamping-edges, turned in toward each substantially as and for the purposes speciiied. other and extending from the top to the bottom of the post, in combination with clamps Vitnesses: for tightening the said smooth vertical and continuous edges or jaws thus formed upon PETER H. INMAN.

PATRICK DooLEY, WILLIAM DooLEY. 

